After graduating high school, Matthews was homeless. His parents were out of the picture.

Luckily the piano studio at Florida Southern College in Lakeland was open 24 hours. That's how his teacher learned of his situation and stepped in to help. "He found me sleeping in his studio and pretty much got me out of that situation, found me a different school to go to where I had a dorm and a roof over my head," said Matthews.

Matthews continued perfecting his craft at UWF. Eventually he decided to take his talents to the big stage, Carnegie Hall in New York City.

He entered the American Protg International piano & strings competition and Matthews was selected as an Honorable Mention winner.

"It's a dream come true," he said. "I never would have thought in a million years I see myself going on that stage and it just means the world to me."

Musicians from all over the world will study his every note, chord and key stroke. A solid performance could springboard his music career to the next level.

James has overcome challenges before and Carnegie Hall will be no different. "I really don't know what's going to happen with it," he said. "But I'm just going to go and try my best and stay focused."

Matthews will perform Sunday, April 20, 2014 at 11:30 am in the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

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Follow us on Twitter @Local12 and LIKE us on Facebook for more updates." />
After graduating high school, Matthews was homeless. His parents were out of the picture.

Luckily the piano studio at Florida Southern College in Lakeland was open 24 hours. That's how his teacher learned of his situation and stepped in to help. "He found me sleeping in his studio and pretty much got me out of that situation, found me a different school to go to where I had a dorm and a roof over my head," said Matthews.

Matthews continued perfecting his craft at UWF. Eventually he decided to take his talents to the big stage, Carnegie Hall in New York City.

He entered the American Protg International piano & strings competition and Matthews was selected as an Honorable Mention winner.

"It's a dream come true," he said. "I never would have thought in a million years I see myself going on that stage and it just means the world to me."

Musicians from all over the world will study his every note, chord and key stroke. A solid performance could springboard his music career to the next level.

James has overcome challenges before and Carnegie Hall will be no different. "I really don't know what's going to happen with it," he said. "But I'm just going to go and try my best and stay focused."

Matthews will perform Sunday, April 20, 2014 at 11:30 am in the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

-----

Follow us on Twitter @Local12 and LIKE us on Facebook for more updates."/>
After graduating high school, Matthews was homeless. His parents were out of the picture.

Luckily the piano studio at Florida Southern College in Lakeland was open 24 hours. That's how his teacher learned of his situation and stepped in to help. "He found me sleeping in his studio and pretty much got me out of that situation, found me a different school to go to where I had a dorm and a roof over my head," said Matthews.

Matthews continued perfecting his craft at UWF. Eventually he decided to take his talents to the big stage, Carnegie Hall in New York City.

He entered the American Protg International piano & strings competition and Matthews was selected as an Honorable Mention winner.

"It's a dream come true," he said. "I never would have thought in a million years I see myself going on that stage and it just means the world to me."

Musicians from all over the world will study his every note, chord and key stroke. A solid performance could springboard his music career to the next level.

James has overcome challenges before and Carnegie Hall will be no different. "I really don't know what's going to happen with it," he said. "But I'm just going to go and try my best and stay focused."

Matthews will perform Sunday, April 20, 2014 at 11:30 am in the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

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A Tragic Week in Space Exploration - 01/31/14

Tomorrow marks the 11th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.On February1, 2003 I had just arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah for the Outdoor Retailer conference.I turned on the TV to seethe landing, only to discover the shuttle had broken apart on re-entry in the skies above Texas.All seven crew members were lost and debris rained down on East Texas and parts of Louisiana.A nation began to mourn andI knew I would never forget that moment.It was eerily familiar to the time 17 years and 4 days earlier when the Challenger exploded on lift-off on January 28, 1986.My friends and I all rushed into the science classroom to witness what had happened.Ironically, the only other fatal NASA spacecraft accident occurred during the same week in 1966, on January 27th.That is when the crew of Apollo 1 perished in a capsule fire as they practiced for their upcoming launch.

Space exploration has always fascinated me.Its a form of flying, something that has been a part of my life from an early age.And like flying, there are inherent risks for those who push the envelope every day.17 astronauts have paid the ultimate price.So this week,as we mark all 3 anniversaries, I salute those men and women who died taking our country to new frontiers.Space exploration is crucial to our future.It drives us, and fuels innovation and technology.It is one of the many things that makes our nation stand out.Even though recent years have seen financial strains put on our space program, my hope is that young Americans will create a renewed interest in pushing the boundaries of exploration once again.It makes dreams a reality, and takes us to places we never imagined.

To learn more about the astronauts who have sacrificed visit http://www.astronautsmemorial.org/space-mirror-memorial.html

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. wages and benefits grew in the spring at the slowest pace in 33 years, stark evidence that stronger hiring hasn't boosted pay. The slowdown also reflects a sharp drop-off in bonus and incentive pay.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 03/21/14 -- Companies that pride themselves on being eco-friendly may have conflicted ideas between marketing with ad specialties and maintaining their green reputation. ...